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Bernards Township candidates differ on plastic waste issue

As a leader, I am proud to have initiated the discussion about the need to reduce plastic waste in our community. The time to act is now — each of us must strive to be stewards for our environment.

I support the many NJ municipalities that have enacted laws to reduce or eliminate the use of single-use plastic bags, cutlery, and drinking straws. A growing list of communities have banned plastic bags altogether.

The time is now to take action to protect our community and planet. I think Bernards Township – known throughout the state as a great place to live and raise a family – can also be respected as a great steward of our environment. Let’s take a pledge to reduce our demand for plastic and handle the disposal of plastics more responsibly.

I’m often impressed by our neighbors at Duke Farms in Hillsborough, Cava at Bridgewater Commons, and Whole Foods, all of whom have implemented compostable plastics and responsible recycling practices. Verizon Wireless, headquartered right here in Bernards Township, also made a pledge just this year to go carbon-neutral by 2035. Bernards Township should be part of that positive change.
Future generations are counting on us.

                                                                 - Sophia Chadda 

Bernards Township Democrat: 'Stop the epidemic of gun violence'

Sophia Chadda, the Democratic candidate for Township Committee, has urged residents to demand legislators take steps to end the "epidemic'' of gun violence in America.

"Sadly, our nation is besieged by homegrown white nationalist terrorism,'' she wrote in a statement to this newspaper. "These individuals are fueled by online extremism and armed by greedy special interests and a complacent Congress. We shouldn’t have to fear leaving our homes to shop, to worship, or to learn.

"This must stop. Just as we take strong measures to protect ourselves from foreign terrorist threats, we should also take equally strong measures to protect our homeland from homegrown terrorism.''

Chadda said that while campaigning recently, she spoke to a resident who said she would only vote for President Donald Trump “because we are a white Christian nation.”
"First, regardless of one’s political affiliation, gun violence should be abhorred by all and we should demand our legislators do something to stop the epidemic,'' Chadda said.

"Second, America is not a nation of any specific religion; America is comprised of a tapestry of all religious faiths as well as those who choose not to practice any religion at all. We are better for living in harmony with our Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and atheist brothers and sisters and being exposed to the wonderful diversity of cultures. Freedom of religion means freely practicing your religious beliefs, not demanding others to forfeit theirs in favor of yours.

"Third, our country is not a white country, just as it is not a black, brown, green, blue, or purple country,'' she added. "It is a country of a single race: the human race. My heart is with the people of Gilroy, El Paso, Dayton, and all those affected by senseless gun violence. My conscience drives me to do something about it so that nobody’s loved ones are taken from them by mass shootings in the future.

"Expressions of thoughts and prayers are wonderful and very much appreciated, but we now also need to act through legislation and safety education in our community, our state, and at the national level,'' she concluded. "Please join me in helping drive this change.''

Dr. Sophia Chadda Speaks at Ridge High School Girls' STEMxx Forum

Bernards Township Committee Candidate Shares Expertise and Encourages Young Women

Bernards Township Committee Primary Candidate: Sophia Chadda

I have lived in Bernards Township for 20 years, raised my three children here and have been practicing as a board certified periodontist in town for the last 15 years. I graduated from Barnard College, Columbia University and went to dental school at State University of New York Buffalo and then completed my Periodontal residency at University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey which is now Rutgers University. While in dental school, I researched the connection between dental disease and Cardiovascular Disease.

I am also a former assistant professor of periodontics at Rutgers Dental School and have held leadership positions in my professional organizations and societies. I am the past president of the Tri-County Dental Society of NJ and the past treasurer of the New Jersey Society of Periodontists. I have been awarded Top Dentist by New Jersey Monthly magazine in 2014 and 2015. I am a local small business owner. I am on the board of trustees of a nonprofit organization called the International Foundation for Progress which provides free education and healthcare for 175 children in Pakistan with a goal of supporting children in impoverished countries worldwide.

Continue reading at The Basking Ridge Patch.

Democrats Launch Sophia Chadda's Candidacy for Township Committee

Photo Credit: Betsy Bacot

Sophia Chadda, this year's Democratic candidate for Bernards Township Committee, outlined her position before a group of supporters at her official campaign launch earlier this month, saying she believes the committee needs "different voices including diverse ones."

Speaking at the picnic pavilion at Pleasant Valley Park, Chadda said she would like to see local government that is "more inclusive, transparent and communicates better with the residents of this town about the issues."